The following basic guidelines can help determine when a patient should be referred to BreatheAmerica
Additional consultation on patient referral is available by calling (505) 883-2574.

Refer an Asthma Patient When:

The diagnosis of asthma is in doubt (persistent coughing, for example).

The patient is losing time from school or work (eight or more days per year), if his/her quality of life is being
seriously affected, or if the patient is limiting activities (including exercise) because of asthma.

The patient has highly labile airway function or frequent exacerbations.

The patient requires more than one canister of inhaled beta-agonist per month, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids
(>1,200 mg/day), frequent bursts of oral corticosteroids or if the patient requires daily oral corticosteroids.

The extent that allergy plays a role in the disease is uncertain and allergy management is necessary.

The role of occupational exposures is undefined.

The patient requires management of adverse effects of medication, help with complex pharmacotherapy
or education about medications.

Modified from the "Practice Parameter on Sinusitis," developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters. Adapted from
"Asthma and Allergy Management News," June 1997, published by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Refer Sinusitis Patient When:

The condition or its treatment is interfering with a patient’s attendance and performance at work or school
on a chronic or recurrent basis.

The patient’s quality of life is significantly affected.

There are complications of sinusitis, such as otitis, asthma or bronchitis.

There is a consideration for an allergic or immunologic basis for the sinusitis.

The condition become chronic, persists for several months, or recurs two to three times per year,
despite treatment.

Modified from the "Practice Parameter on Sinusitis," developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters. Adapted from
"Asthma and Allergy Management News," June 1997, published by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Refer Rhinitis Patient When:

The condition or its treatment is interfering with a patient’s performance or causing significant loss of school
or work time.

The patient’s quality of life is significantly altered.

There are complications of rhinitis, such as sinusitis, otitis, hearing loss, asthma, significant snoring, loss
of sleep or bronchitis.

A patient requires systemic corticosteroids or is experiencing adverse reactions to other therapeutic approaches.

Modified from the "Practice Parameter on Sinusitis," developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters. Adapted from
"Asthma and Allergy Management News," June 1997, published by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.